Month: June 2014

Bet you’ll never guess whatI’ve been baking up lately. Because it’s definitely not a sourdough recipe – I mean, it’s not like I love baking with sourdough starter or anything. Um…just kidding?

It has been a long time since I’ve had grissini – this crunchy, crackery version of breadsticks. I used to buy them, and their mini-bagel shaped cousins, Taralli, when I studied in Italy. Back in the US, I forgot all about them until a couple of weeks ago when I absent-mindedly left some pizza reheating in the oven for a bit too long. The too-crunchy crust tasted exactly like grissini and I knew I needed to learn how to make them. And because I like a challenge, I figured I might as well make a sourdough version!

These aren’t a snack that you can make on a whim – you’ll need to plan ahead because the dough rises overnight. It is…

Don’t be afraid. It’s only color. I have to smile really big whenever I sell one of my bold mega colorful paintings. It lets me know that someone out there has the assertiveness to go with a piece that yells from the walls, “Look at me!!!” It is even more satisfying when it is an abstract. Abstracts make most people uncomfortable. Some will say that they just do not understand abstract art. There is good news! You do not have to. You just have to like it and have the courage to allow yourself to enjoy it. I do not understand how an opal is formed, but I know it’s beautiful. I do not understand how a beetle has such iridescence in it’s shell, but I know it is stunning. I do not understand how the human eye has all of those amazing patterns, but enjoy looking at them. A…

Launched last month, Pictorico is a free theme that combines a dynamic portfolio-style home page with a simple, single-column layout for posts and pages. It’s great for pro photographers, casual photobloggers, and anyone who wants a sleek space for personal blogging.

British blogger Issy shares recipes at A Feast for the Eyes, a name that perfectly captures the focus of the site: food and photography. Pictorico‘s front-page grid displays her mix of dishes beautifully — her images are crisp and bold, while her plate setups are stylish and carefully considered.

Issy sets featured images on individual posts, adding color and sophistication to the header area. She also takes advantage of the theme’s clean, single-column layout, letting her images shine on the page:

Whether you’ve been blogging for a decade or for a week, sometimes it can feel like inspiration has taken a day off. Next time that happens, give these post ideas a try.

1. The quote-first post.

It’s sometimes easier to put your own thoughts into words when someone else’s words are already there on the screen. Have you come across a powerful quote in the news, or read a great opening sentence in a novel? Is there a line in a song you’ve recently heard that you keep thinking about?

Today is one of those days where in this quote makes perfect sense .. stay cool, be lazy and enjoy the moment. Summer reminds me of popsicles, walking to get ice cream or a cool refreshing lemonade with friends. When I was younger my friends and I would lie in the grass in my backyard and stare up at the clouds .. watching them as they floated by .. making up stories, basking in the fresh cut grass, embracing the art of day dreaming!

So whatever you may decide to do today .. be happy! Embrace the season, make new friendships, try something new .. be adventurous! Love life! ❤

My friend across the pond, posted on her own blog this morning about “asking for help” and how difficult it was to do so, she was asking for others to share their experiences and so I did. Asking for help is a lot like “knowing you took a step in the right direction” .. when you finally arrive at the place where ‘you’ no longer judge yourself. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength & growth! .. “a step towards the future where everything that you never thought was possible, is possible.” We are all on a journey, if we continue to put one foot in front of the other, slowly but surely we’ll get to our destination & where we want to be. ❤

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” ~ R.J. Palacio